Stereo Sushi CD

No, Stereo Sushi isn't a collection of Japanese Shibuya-kei pop, though the curious will be forgiven for assuming from the kiddie-core graphics, fonts, and layout that there'll be plenty of Pizzicato 5 or Fantastic Plastic Machine inside. Instead, the basically unmixed two-disc set compiles the early-2000s sound of deep house: that slightly chilled, slightly clubby version of neo-disco that matches the freewheeling disco blueprint of Salsoul records. Mark Doyle, from the ubiquitous Hed Kandi family of compilations, oversees the set, selecting tracks from sympathetic labels like Distance, Om, King Street, Nervous, and Subliminal Soul. Stereo Sushi is a classic "background listening" record; highlights are difficult to choose, since each of these producers gets the sound down well, but few are able to transcend the jazzy, downtempo keys, chunky basslines, Latin percussion, and yearning vocals in attendance. Three do rise above the pack, however: Miguel Migs' remix of "Fall into You" by Soulstice, a remix of "My Precious Thing" by Llorca, and a tag-team reworking of Dido's "Hunter" featuring Francois Kevorkian and Faithless. ~ John Bush

The very best in deep & soulful house music from a variety of the very best dance labels. Some tracks are found exclusively on this collection and most have never appeared on CD prior to this release. Includes artists like Dido, Kings Of Tomorrow, Jon Cutler, Viola, Tiefschwarz, Stephanie Cooke and many more.

Personnel: Christian Urich, Miriam Schell, Rob Wannamaker, Sarah Webb, Gina Rene (vocals); Sven Andersson (saxophone); Steve Lucato, Superbird (keyboards); Stephanie McKay (background vocals).

Audio Remixers: Eric Kupper; David Duriez; Llorca; Miguel Migs; Rollo; Sister Bliss; Tom de Neef.

Liner Note Author: Mark Doyle .

Illustrator: Neil.

Arrangers: Ed Funk; Sir Piers.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.